elspethm's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
While I was a bit thrown off by the magical aspects of this book (other reviewers likened it to The X Men), I did really like the relationship between Julian and Piper.
When Julian first was introduced to Piper via her grandfather, she fell in love at first sight, and so did he, but he had been told by her grandfather that he should stay away from Piper, and he tried to do so.
Along the way, Julian was working towards saving and collecting other people in who had magical "powers" and had tried to hide Piper away since her skill as a healer was attractive to good and bad people alike. Piper was getting frustrated by Julian's not admitting his attraction and love for her.
The story was mostly Piper convincing Julian to give in to his feelings for her, and a bit of a threat by an evil woman who wanted Piper to heal her. The relationship between the two was ultimately so romantic and I was very happy to see them finally togehter.
I received a promotional copy and am giving an honest review.
When Julian first was introduced to Piper via her grandfather, she fell in love at first sight, and so did he, but he had been told by her grandfather that he should stay away from Piper, and he tried to do so.
Along the way, Julian was working towards saving and collecting other people in who had magical "powers" and had tried to hide Piper away since her skill as a healer was attractive to good and bad people alike. Piper was getting frustrated by Julian's not admitting his attraction and love for her.
The story was mostly Piper convincing Julian to give in to his feelings for her, and a bit of a threat by an evil woman who wanted Piper to heal her. The relationship between the two was ultimately so romantic and I was very happy to see them finally togehter.
I received a promotional copy and am giving an honest review.
dukefn99's review
4.0
My 3.5 star review can be read in full at https://novelsalive.com/2022/09/08/3-5-star-review-the-lady-is-trouble-by-tracy-sumner/
roguem's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is the first book in Sumner's League of Lords series. I love historical romance and the X-Men, so this seemed like a perfect fit for me, but it wasn't quite smooth sailing.
Since this is the first in a series it's obvious that Sumner needs to spend time world building, setting up the rules and letting us get to know other characters as well as our two leads, Julian and Piper, but sadly both sides of the story suffers a bit under this as some aspects end up feeling rather rushed. It does feel like you're just dumped into the story at the very beginning, and then have to spend the next few chapters catching up to what's actually going on. It definitely could have benefitted from letting us getting to know Julian and Piper separately before bringing them together. I'm honestly not quite sure what actually happened at the beginning of this book.
The big villain that's introduced in this book is presented as kind of a big threat, but I never felt anything was truly explained about this character and would have liked a little more proper backstory as well. We get glimpses, but it isn't very well fleshed out. The threat is just kind of there to I've us something in the background of Julian and Pipers relationship, but I wish this had played a bigger part, and felt more like someone truly threatening.
I did like Julian and Piper, and the relationship between the two is presented nicely. Their relationship and backstory made me believe that these two characters had real feelings for each other. This is something Sumner tends to do well in my opinion.
I also felt the world itself and the variety of powers were interesting. Also showing the effects the powers have on the people wielding them, both good and bad. This is something I hope is delved into further in the other books in this series, and there were also several side characters I hope will get their own stories told in the future.
All in all this is an enjoyable story, I just with it would have been longer in order to flesh out a few aspects. However if you are looking for a paranormal and historical combo, I suggest you give it a chance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Since this is the first in a series it's obvious that Sumner needs to spend time world building, setting up the rules and letting us get to know other characters as well as our two leads, Julian and Piper, but sadly both sides of the story suffers a bit under this as some aspects end up feeling rather rushed. It does feel like you're just dumped into the story at the very beginning, and then have to spend the next few chapters catching up to what's actually going on. It definitely could have benefitted from letting us getting to know Julian and Piper separately before bringing them together. I'm honestly not quite sure what actually happened at the beginning of this book.
The big villain that's introduced in this book is presented as kind of a big threat, but I never felt anything was truly explained about this character and would have liked a little more proper backstory as well. We get glimpses, but it isn't very well fleshed out. The threat is just kind of there to I've us something in the background of Julian and Pipers relationship, but I wish this had played a bigger part, and felt more like someone truly threatening.
I did like Julian and Piper, and the relationship between the two is presented nicely. Their relationship and backstory made me believe that these two characters had real feelings for each other. This is something Sumner tends to do well in my opinion.
I also felt the world itself and the variety of powers were interesting. Also showing the effects the powers have on the people wielding them, both good and bad. This is something I hope is delved into further in the other books in this series, and there were also several side characters I hope will get their own stories told in the future.
All in all this is an enjoyable story, I just with it would have been longer in order to flesh out a few aspects. However if you are looking for a paranormal and historical combo, I suggest you give it a chance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
happily_after_heas's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Historical romance with a magical/paranormal element?! Yes, please. Sign me up!
This is the first book in Tracy Sumner's League of Lords series and it is doing a lot of work as first books usually do. Sumner is trying to set the tone of the series, build the world within our world filled with people with special skills like mindreading, mind-bending, visions of the future, fire-starting, seeing spirits, etc, as well as giving us the romance that we want.
Julian and Piper have known each other for years, and loving each other from the first moment they saw one another. However, upon the death of Piper's grandfather, Julian promised him that he would not pursue Piper because the two of them together could destroy one another. So Julian does all he can to avoid Piper, including sending her off to the countryside to live out her days in boredom, never using her power as she is meant to.
Piper is a tenacious, outgoing woman who refuses to languish about the country and after three years hightails it back to London to let Julian find her. And when he does, hell breaks lose. Julian concedes that he must let Piper into the fold and finally utilize her healing powers, as well as join the union of others who are putting together the "chronology" and assembling others like them to a safe country estate.
We meet others with powers, usually they are of a lower class, and eventually discover who the firestarter is. (He is in a future book and I'm very much looking forward to that.) There is a "big bad" who is after Piper because she thinks Piper can heal her. Julian is determined to protect Piper, not giving her credit that she can defend herself a bit.
Most of the book is Julian denying his feelings for Piper and why he cannot be with her. At times, it gets very repetitive and you want to yell at Julian. He often leaves Piper out of important discussions and decisions even though he's promised her that he will include her in this aspect of his life since he won't give her what she really wants--him. Piper often circumvents Julian though because she refuses to be kept in the dark when it comes to her research and the chronology.
Because there is so much going on in this book, I'm not sure I fully understand the chronology, what it is, what it is supposed to do, etc. I trust that Sumner will flesh this out as the series progresses. The "big bad" in the book is bad but I never quite figured out what went wrong with her or if she was always bad. Again, I feel like we will learn more about people whose gifts are tainted or abused as the series grows. Just as in reality, not everyone is good or uses their skills for the good of others, so I expect not everyone gifted with a power uses it for good either.
Julian and Piper are explosive together and I enjoyed them together on the page. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't keeping up with their banter and motives but I just kept on reading, waiting for the end game. The love between the two is so obvious that one cannot help but root for the two of them. The yearning, the longing, the chemistry between them is wonderfully written.
I'm so glad that I had the forethought to buy this series and cannot wait to read about the others in the series who also captured my heart.
This is the first book in Tracy Sumner's League of Lords series and it is doing a lot of work as first books usually do. Sumner is trying to set the tone of the series, build the world within our world filled with people with special skills like mindreading, mind-bending, visions of the future, fire-starting, seeing spirits, etc, as well as giving us the romance that we want.
Julian and Piper have known each other for years, and loving each other from the first moment they saw one another. However, upon the death of Piper's grandfather, Julian promised him that he would not pursue Piper because the two of them together could destroy one another. So Julian does all he can to avoid Piper, including sending her off to the countryside to live out her days in boredom, never using her power as she is meant to.
Piper is a tenacious, outgoing woman who refuses to languish about the country and after three years hightails it back to London to let Julian find her. And when he does, hell breaks lose. Julian concedes that he must let Piper into the fold and finally utilize her healing powers, as well as join the union of others who are putting together the "chronology" and assembling others like them to a safe country estate.
We meet others with powers, usually they are of a lower class, and eventually discover who the firestarter is. (He is in a future book and I'm very much looking forward to that.) There is a "big bad" who is after Piper because she thinks Piper can heal her. Julian is determined to protect Piper, not giving her credit that she can defend herself a bit.
Most of the book is Julian denying his feelings for Piper and why he cannot be with her. At times, it gets very repetitive and you want to yell at Julian. He often leaves Piper out of important discussions and decisions even though he's promised her that he will include her in this aspect of his life since he won't give her what she really wants--him. Piper often circumvents Julian though because she refuses to be kept in the dark when it comes to her research and the chronology.
Because there is so much going on in this book, I'm not sure I fully understand the chronology, what it is, what it is supposed to do, etc. I trust that Sumner will flesh this out as the series progresses. The "big bad" in the book is bad but I never quite figured out what went wrong with her or if she was always bad. Again, I feel like we will learn more about people whose gifts are tainted or abused as the series grows. Just as in reality, not everyone is good or uses their skills for the good of others, so I expect not everyone gifted with a power uses it for good either.
Julian and Piper are explosive together and I enjoyed them together on the page. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't keeping up with their banter and motives but I just kept on reading, waiting for the end game. The love between the two is so obvious that one cannot help but root for the two of them. The yearning, the longing, the chemistry between them is wonderfully written.
I'm so glad that I had the forethought to buy this series and cannot wait to read about the others in the series who also captured my heart.
thisbookishcat's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
I'd like to thank Booksirens for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I've never really delved into the world of regency-era type historical romances, so I'm not exactly sure what to expect of them, but I genuinely had fun with this one. A solid 3.5-stars.
It was sexy. It had drama. And it was like X-Men thrown back in time. Did I mention it was sexy? Yes!
It did start out quite bothersome however. I didn't end up liking Piper, our leading lady until almost halfway through the book, Julian I ended up finding somewhat charming around a third of the way in. I also wish that some of the external conflict had had more time dedicated to it, and less time dedicated to the drama between Piper and Julian at the beginning. I know that this is primarily a romance novel and so romance is where the focus will be, but I was getting really into their powers and the people involved with it all.
Overall, it was a fun read, once I got through the first third of the book, and overall I enjoyed myself. I'd definitely recommend it if you want a sort of regency-era romance piece that is less focused on history and more focused on powers.
I've never really delved into the world of regency-era type historical romances, so I'm not exactly sure what to expect of them, but I genuinely had fun with this one. A solid 3.5-stars.
It was sexy. It had drama. And it was like X-Men thrown back in time. Did I mention it was sexy? Yes!
It did start out quite bothersome however. I didn't end up liking Piper, our leading lady until almost halfway through the book, Julian I ended up finding somewhat charming around a third of the way in. I also wish that some of the external conflict had had more time dedicated to it, and less time dedicated to the drama between Piper and Julian at the beginning. I know that this is primarily a romance novel and so romance is where the focus will be, but I was getting really into their powers and the people involved with it all.
Overall, it was a fun read, once I got through the first third of the book, and overall I enjoyed myself. I'd definitely recommend it if you want a sort of regency-era romance piece that is less focused on history and more focused on powers.
kaydawn's review
4.0
Mainly dual POV. They both want each other but he has reasons to hold back (of course they’re stupid). Love when people who want each other try to do the “only once to get it out of my system” thing. Perfection. Enjoyed just the little dash of supernatural thrown in as well.
mermaidmomma's review
3.0
This was a slow burn with a capital "s" that spoke to memories buried deep inside of me. I mean who hasn't lusted after the forbidden old man at some point. There was so much build up to this romantic relationship that I was panting in anticipation before we even got to the spicy stuff. I was just so ready for them to be together! The sexual tension is so thick. I did find myself putting this book down on multiple occasions because I was frustrated with how long I had to wait to see things heat up. There is a reason that slow burn is not one of my prefered tropes, I am an impatient person by nature.
That being said, the speed with things progressed made sense considering this is the first book in a series. There was a lot of introducing us to this magical world and catching us up on what had happened prior to the book. I really appreciated the attention to detail and willingness to really build a well thought out world when it would have been easy to just let it go for the sake of the hot romance blooming.
That being said, the speed with things progressed made sense considering this is the first book in a series. There was a lot of introducing us to this magical world and catching us up on what had happened prior to the book. I really appreciated the attention to detail and willingness to really build a well thought out world when it would have been easy to just let it go for the sake of the hot romance blooming.
juliereadsromance's review
DNF. I can’t get into this series. I started both book 1 and book 2 and it didn’t go anywhere for me. There’s also a Lyrical tempo to the writing that bothered me for some reason.
emmelnie's review
4.0
The Lady Is Trouble introduces us to a Regency world where paranormal abilities exist and shows how they cause grave challenges to those “gifted” with them. Because the gifted are young when their abilities tend to manifest, they give themselves away easily and have to deal with hatred and ostracism from those without paranormal talents. Into this setup comes Julian, the eighth Viscount Beauchamp, who’s been able to use his resources to start a haven for those with these special gifts. He’s met a number of people with talents, none more so than Piper Scott. The granddaughter of an earl, she has the exceptionally rare ability to heal and help with the mental trauma that so many of those paranormally gifted suffer from.
That’s because those who can read minds see all the ugliness in those minds. That’s because those who can see the future see the damage that could happen. That’s because those who can see the dead see how they suffered. Being paranormally gifted in Sumner’s world is a curse as well as a talent.
I liked the way Julian and Piper have long been drawn to one another and how Julian is struggling with a promise he made to Piper’s grandfather that he wouldn’t have a relationship with her. This is the crux of the story in The Lady Is Trouble, and the way these two are irresistibly pulled together made for a magnetic couple. I also loved Piper’s strength and how she has to work to prove to the men in her life that she can and must manage her own magic. Julian and Piper’s relationship is full of, frankly, wonderfully sexy moments.
The major drawback to The Lady Is Trouble is that you’re plunged into the middle of this world with little explanation from Sumner. Much of the past history of Piper and Julian is dribbled out to the reader over the course of the book, but the fact this couple has a history that’s alluded to and that there’s a steady stream of past actions in relation to the group of gifted people this book centers on makes the early part of The Lady Is Trouble really hard to understand. I hope readers persevere; things are made clear over the course of the book, but this takes quite some time to arrive. This challenge is what drove my rating down; it’s a 3 1/2-star book for me, but I rounded up to 4 stars due to the quality of the writing.
Sumner also nicely sets up some of the other residents in Julian’s haven who look to have their stories told in the future. I hope future books unfold in a more straightforward, explained fashion in this paranormal Regency world.
That’s because those who can read minds see all the ugliness in those minds. That’s because those who can see the future see the damage that could happen. That’s because those who can see the dead see how they suffered. Being paranormally gifted in Sumner’s world is a curse as well as a talent.
I liked the way Julian and Piper have long been drawn to one another and how Julian is struggling with a promise he made to Piper’s grandfather that he wouldn’t have a relationship with her. This is the crux of the story in The Lady Is Trouble, and the way these two are irresistibly pulled together made for a magnetic couple. I also loved Piper’s strength and how she has to work to prove to the men in her life that she can and must manage her own magic. Julian and Piper’s relationship is full of, frankly, wonderfully sexy moments.
The major drawback to The Lady Is Trouble is that you’re plunged into the middle of this world with little explanation from Sumner. Much of the past history of Piper and Julian is dribbled out to the reader over the course of the book, but the fact this couple has a history that’s alluded to and that there’s a steady stream of past actions in relation to the group of gifted people this book centers on makes the early part of The Lady Is Trouble really hard to understand. I hope readers persevere; things are made clear over the course of the book, but this takes quite some time to arrive. This challenge is what drove my rating down; it’s a 3 1/2-star book for me, but I rounded up to 4 stars due to the quality of the writing.
Sumner also nicely sets up some of the other residents in Julian’s haven who look to have their stories told in the future. I hope future books unfold in a more straightforward, explained fashion in this paranormal Regency world.